Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our combined written and live Sunday sermon, which is normally broadcast every Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love, sharing the Word of God, the Spirit of Jesus Christ in a way that we believe embraces the ways Jesus taught us to manage. We bring His Word to the many as opposed to the few, in order to continue the legacy created by the ministry of Jesus Christ.
You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Rev. Laura’s other sites: Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube & Twitch & TruthSocial & Instagram & Bluesky
Wedding officiant page: Wedfolio
Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list grows or changes every week. This is our current list.
- Rabbi Karen L. Hertzog has asked that we pray for her mother’s health. She also asks for prayers for her brother’s attitude and also for Rabbi Karen’s stress levels.
- We continue our prayers for Evangelist Cal Jennings, that his health becomes steadier than it has been for far too long. We pray that his medical needs are fully met, and he has all that he requires for comfort and peace.
- We continue our prayers for JB and EB as they navigate through the maze of medical tests and specialists to get all the answers they need in both of their health issues. They are continually frustrated with the runaround they have been getting with the various referrals.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Alexis, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and has set up a site for donations to help her with this. If you want more information, send me a private message and I’ll pass on the information.
- We continue with our prayers for my niece Autumn, who has been suffering seizures due to a head injury from a car crash.
- We continue to pray for my Mama who has had a lot of anxiety issues lately. Thankfully her arm and wrist are now completely out of braces and cast.
- We continue to pray for all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including several survivors of the disease, my Aunt Donna and my friends Kelly, Alexis, JB, and her sister Debbie.
- We pray for those who are in the path of dangerous weather, and other dangerous conditions, including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, worldwide.
- We pray for the various outreach ministries we have joined with, with their leaders, Pastor Stephen Okoth, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji, Pastor Amir Aneel, Sister Santhi Swaroopa, Pastor Duke Moenga, and others in Kissee, Nairobi, and other places in Kenya, Pakistan, and India.
- We pray also for our American outreach ministries, including Rev. Lisa Tyler on the other side of Georgia from where I am and Rabbi Karen L. Hertzog with her ministry, Way Maker Messianic Jewish and Christian Center – USA as well.
- For those traveling on this holiday weekend in the USA, we pray you make it to your destinations safely and return home just as safely.
* We wish a happy Memorial Day to all the soldiers past and present out there in this world.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, we bow our heads to You this morning and pray in thanksgiving for all that You have brought us. We thank You for helping us reach inner peace and the ability to share it with others. We thank You for watching over our families and friends. We thank You for the solace delivered to those of us who are sorrowful this day. We thank You for Your healing touch on all those who are sick, injured, or recovering from any form of illness, pain, or sorrow. We thank You for the memories You help us recall to provide solace after the loss of family or friends. We thank You for providing help and more for our poor, orphaned, and homeless, Lord. We do all this in Your Holy Name through our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Poem: God My Father, Jesus My Reward ~ Rev. Laura A. Neff © 2009
God my
Father I will love,
With all my heart and soul;
And with my Lord above,
My mind and body whole.
God my Father is a gift,
Given in so many ways;
In the prayers that lift,
And the words He says.
God my father is here,
Guiding my path today;
Happy speaking in my ear,
Always comfort to say.
He gave the gift of Life,
Through Jesus long ago;
And even in worldly strife,
This truth we would know.
Jesus is the great reward,
Through his blood we win.
Held in God's high regard,
To wash us all from sin.
Sermon: For all those remembering our family, friends, or colleagues lost within the ravages of war, God bless you all for the sacrifice made. This is the reason for the poetry in place of music for this specific Sunday. Today we are continuing chapter one of the first letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. Similar to last week, we cover just four verses in the first chapter of this first letter Paul shared with the church there at Corinth. Paul packs a whole lot of references into these four verses, and they literally go through most of Scripture, and that’s not all the connecting verses there would be. So, with that, let’s begin where we left off last Sunday.
1 Corinthians 1:24 KJV – But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
NIV – but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
I would personally recommend that you read the entire chapter for this first reference.
Proverbs 8:32-36 KJV – Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed
are they that keep my ways.
Hear
instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the
posts of my doors.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me
love death.
NIV
– “Now
then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.
Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my
doorway.
For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.
But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”
Paul again references his go-to prophet Isaiah in these three instances.
Isaiah 9:6 KJV – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
NIV – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 11:2 KJV – And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
NIV – The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
Isaiah 28:29 KJV – This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
NIV – All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.
Paul adds to this with the Word as spoken by Jesus in the gospels of Matthew and Luke and also the recollections of history by John the Beloved. His final reference is from the Hebrew Prophets.
Matthew 11:19 KJV – The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
NIV – The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
Luke 11:49 KJV – Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
NIV – Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’
John
1:1-3 KJV – In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was
made.
NIV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Hebrews 1:3 KJV – Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
NIV –The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Now, we get back to the word “foolish”, which is, for all intents and purposes, a version of the curse word “fool” in Scripture. You don’t want to be labeled in this way, no matter what your age or education, or lack thereof. This is what Paul says in this regard.
1 Corinthians 1:25 KJV –Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
NIV – For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Paul references a rarely spoken about scroll, this one the scroll of Job, which, for many preachers and teachers, is far too difficult and depressing to teach all at once. The problem with our not doing so is that we gloss over the near torture of a man who tries his hardest to understand why he’s been tormented, and it takes him forty-two chapters to realize how and why. Job helps prove the many diverse reasons every ordinary human being needs to learn how to follow Jesus. He proves that the promise of salvation is worth more than anything here on earth could possibly amount to. Here’s the one reference that Paul provides from his story.
Job 12:13 KJV – With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
NIV – “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.
How many times did Jesus mention “wisdom”? How many times does the word wisdom show up in Scripture? Would you believe 219 times? The word wise appears 189 times. So, how do we gain wisdom when it comes to Scripture? Here are some tips for that from Paul’s Old Testament reference notes.
Proverbs 21:30 KJV – There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
NIV – There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 7:19 KJV – Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
NIV – Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
Isaiah 40:28 KJV – Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
NIV – Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Jeremiah 8:9 KJV – The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?
NIV – The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?
Paul includes only two references to the New Testament here, one from Jesus in the gospel of Matthew and one from the younger human brother of Jesus, James the Just.
Matthew 11:25 KJV – At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
NIV – At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
James 3:17 KJV – But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
NIV –But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Notice how Paul characterizes the chosen for spreading the gospel of Jesus in this next verse. It’s very important that we understand Jesus doesn’t care if we aren’t perfect, unblemished, rich, poor, or anything else, because we are made perfect through Him so long as we believe in Him.
1 Corinthians 1:26 KJV –For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
NIV –Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
Paul brings a reference from the Old Testament from where Samuel was charged with choosing the first king of Israel. This is what God cautioned him about.
1 Samuel 16:7 KJV –But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
NIV – But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Paul adds another facet to true wisdom, which is shared here in the prophetic writing of Jeremiah, it’s not something we should boast about, nor should we think we’re more specially set apart from the rest of the world. That will make us fall into the trap of the seven troubles of vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt which are mentioned here as the epitome of unrighteousness.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV – Thus saith the Lord,
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in
his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But
let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that
I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in
the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
NIV – This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
Meekness and humility are two facets of humanity that would be extremely difficult for most humans to maintain on a constant basis. Yet, these facets are desired by God, Jesus, and known through the Holy Spirit. These are the reasons that Paul includes the next two references, one in the Old Testament, and one in the gospel of Matthew.
Zephaniah 3:12 KJV – I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
NIV – But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord.
Matthew 5:3 KJV – Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
NIV – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
You’ll note that the previous verse is from the famous Sermon on the Mount – which I recommended you read the entire sermon of Jesus. Here is another pair of instances of Jesus speaking in the gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 11:25 KJV – At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
NIV – At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
Matthew 19:30 KJV – But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
NIV – But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Paul adds more gospel references from Luke and John the Beloved and also words from James the Just, younger human sibling of Jesus, with Peter as well.
Luke 1:51-52 KJV – He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
NIV – He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
Luke 6:20 KJV – And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
NIV – Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
John 7:48 KJV – Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
NIV – “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?
Acts 4:13 KJV – Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
NIV – When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
James 2:1-6 KJV – My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
NIV
–My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not
show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and
fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show
special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat
for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my
feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil
thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in
the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he
promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the
rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into
court?
1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV –But ye are a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth
the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light;
Which
in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
NIV –But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
With our last verse from this first letter to Corinth today, Paul continues to note the viewpoints of true wisdom and “foolish” wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:27 KJV –But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
NIV – But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
Again Paul references King David’s writing in the Old Testament scroll of Psalms.
Psalm 8:2 KJV – Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
NIV – Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
Psalm 118:22-24 KJV – The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
NIV – The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
I recommend you read the entirety of Psalm 118 for several recognizable prophetic mentions, as well as the fact that this chapter signifies the direct center of all the Scriptures. There are as many pages before as there are after this one. Paul doesn’t stop in his Old Testament references, as again we hear from Job, Isaiah, Daniel, and Zephaniah.
Job 5:12-13 KJV – He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.
NIV – He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away.
Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
NIV – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Daniel 2:21 KJV – And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
NIV – He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Zephaniah 3:12 KJV – I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
NIV – But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord.
Paul’s final references are from our Savior Jesus as written in the gospel of Luke as well as one of Paul’s references in his letter to Rome.
Luke 10:21 KJV – In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
NIV – At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
Romans 11:33 KJV – O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
NIV – Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
We have a lot to learn in this world when it comes to godliness and the wisdom of righteousness within that state. It is vitally important to remember the reason for our being here. His name is Jesus Christ, who comes from the great Jehovah God our Heavenly Father. It is through the life death, and eternal legacy of Jesus Christ that we are here today. Now, let’s show each other how faith and belief in God go hand in hand, and all of us have the opportunity to walk in the faithful steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The ability to do this requires us to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you are willing to do so, please leave me a note in the comments and I’ll be in touch. Now, that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus taught us.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13)
Closing Poem: Memorial Day Memories ~ Rev. Laura A. Neff © 2010
Have you remembered when,
Soldiers wore no uniforms;
And their families once again,
Defied all the social norms?
Have you remembered them,
Those who each lived and died;
Love which death couldn’t stem,
Devotion nobody ever denied.
Remember the soldiers all,
Who fought or fight for freedom;
And then remember the call,
God’s Savior taught to some.
For He too is a soldier at war,
In a battle for every one of us;
And in His arms held there are,
Those we’ve loved and lost thus.
Warriors come in all sizes true,
In days of old, past, present and future;
To each of them lost much is due;
Remember them who keep us secure.
To love one another is the aim,
Not to destroy lives in this place;
And though war for some is a game,
The damage done is on each face.
Give a face to the wars at hand,
When you do there you’ll see;
That moment when we understand,
Will be where eternity would be.
So decorate with flags and flowers,
Every door, and every headstone;
And remember what service is ours,
As a gift, yesterday, today, known.
And as we celebrate on the morrow,
With parades, flowers and flags waving;
Remember with bittersweet sorrow,
God’s Soldier believes we’re worth saving.
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & Twitch & USAlife
Evangelist Calvin Jennings
Covenant of Hope Ministries Main Site: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition: Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright ©circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press, The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA, USA
Sermon or Study Copyright © 2025 http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries is not to
exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is
created through fear
together as the bringers of the
light of Jesus found in the midst of darkness.
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